Skip to Main Content

JOURNALISM AND MEDIA STUDIES 567


The journalism and media studies (JMS) major provides an opportunity to study print, broadcast, electronic journalism, and new media, including law and ethics as well as media theory, with an emphasis on how the media affects individuals, social groups, and political processes in a democratic society. The major provides undergraduate students with a broad spectrum of courses in the theory and practice of journalism and media, preparing them for professional careers in magazines, the creative industries, television, newspapers, radio, web production, media management, news agencies, and wire services, publishing, and public information service in the government and private sectors. Journalism and media studies students are encouraged to take electives outside the School of Communication and Information (SC&I) to complement both their studies in the major and their career interests.

Graduates who successfully complete the program will be able to:

  • [EXPRESSION] Write fluently, produce content, and tell stories across evolving media platforms.

  • [ANALYSIS] Demonstrate analytical and critical thinking, formulate research questions and use appropriate methods, evaluate and use appropriate sources, identify, and gather relevant data in journalism and media contexts.

  • [ETHICS] Develop a critical understanding of the ethical standards and tensions in journalistic and media practices and institutions and apply this understanding to academic and professional activities.

  • [POWER] Critically analyze issues of diversity, difference, social justice, and power in media in a global context.

  • [SYSTEMS] Explain social, political, cultural, and economic dimensions of media technologies, institutions, practices, policies, and regulations.

  • [INNOVATION] Innovate with tools and technologies appropriate for media professions.

Career Opportunities

The program offers a broad spectrum of courses in the theory and practice of journalism and media studies, preparing students for professional careers in print, broadcast, new media, advertising, public relations, and public information services in the government and private sectors. The courses focus on the practice of journalism and mass media and the impact of media on society, new technology and the media, public policy and understanding, and the planning and development of public information systems. The major also provides strong writing skills and academic preparation for students who are pre-professional for law school, M.B.A. programs, and other advanced degrees.

Admission to the Major

SC&I accepts applications to majors in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Admission to the journalism and media studies major is competitive; meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. General writing ability and communication skills, as evidenced in both the personal essay of the application and success in relevant courses are required. Minimum requirements for admission include

  • completion of at least 15 credits at Rutgers, or 15 transfer credits, with a grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better;

  • a grade of C or better in the required prerequisite course 04:189:102 Introduction to Media (or an equivalent transfer course);

  • a grade of C or better in College Writing (offered by the School of Arts and Sciences as 01:355:101) or an equivalent course or placement; and

  • completion of the application including a personal statement.

If students do not earn a grade of C or better in 04:189:102, the course may be retaken one time.

Grades in other journalism and media studies courses will get particular attention, but applicants are not required to have taken such courses before applying. The admissions committee may seek evidence of interest in journalism and media studies including extracurricular involvement. The admissions committee considers the following criteria when reviewing student essays: (a) evidence of your interest in the major; (b) your future plans and their relationship to the major; (c) your strength as a writer; and (d) any other qualities that make you a strong candidate for admission to the journalism and media studies major. Students may be admitted for the fall, spring, and summer semesters; check the website for application deadlines each semester. Students are strongly encouraged to consult the school's website for up-to-date information regarding admissions procedures, program requirements, course offerings, and special programs.

Details about deadlines as well as application forms are available online.

Check the program's website for the most up-to-date list of courses and specializations. Students may take any course in the major as an elective.

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses in order for those courses to count toward the major.

Major Requirements

Prerequisite survey course required before admission to the major (3 credits):

04:189:102 Introduction to Media (3)

SC&I interdisciplinary requirement (3 credits):

Either
04:189:101 Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (3)
or
04:189:103  Information Technology and Informatics (3)

Core Courses (6 credits):

04:567:200 Writing for Media (3)
04:567:201 Media Ethics (3)

Foundation Courses

One foundation course from the following list:

  • 04:567:205 Digital News Writing and Reporting

  • 04:567:206 Broadcast News Writing and Reporting

  • 04:567:207 Design and Digital Editing

  • 04:567:210 Media Management and Strategy

  • 04:567:211 Exploring New Media

  • 04:567:212 Digital Media Production

  • 04:567:215 Gender, Race, and Class in the Media

  • 04:567:216 Digital Media and Society

  • 04:567:217 Foundations of Media Analysis

Practice Courses:

Two courses

Concept Courses:

Two courses (one must be at the 400-level)

Elective Courses:

You must select twelve credits of major coursework from the course listing for the JMS major. You may take any course in the major as an elective, including foundation courses.

Diversity, difference, and social justice:

The Department of Journalism and Media Studies is committed to addressing issues of diversity, difference, and social justice. Majors must complete at least one of the following courses:

  • 04:567:274 Consumer Media Culture

  • 04:567:333 Media and Popular Culture

  • 04:567:334 Gender, Race, and Class in the Media

  • 04:567:351 Digital Media and Society

  • 04:567:365 Mediating the Middle East

  • 04:567:380 Media and Social Change

  • 04:567:385 Irish Media, Politics, and Cultural Survival

  • 04:567:420 Global News

  • 04:567:457 Journalism and Civil Rights

  • 04:567:475 International Media

Specializations

Students may also opt to select a specialization in sports journalism or in global media. Each specialization requires a total of six courses (18 credits). If you’re using a specialization to fulfill JMS major requirements, at least 6 credits of the 18-credit specialization must be at the 400 level.

Global media specialization

Required Courses:

  • 04:567:200 Writing for Media

  • 04:567:201 Media Ethics and Law

  • A foundation course

Specialization Courses (select 3 courses / 9 credits):

  • 04:567:215 Gender, Race, and Class in the Media

  • 04:567:317 Writing the Mediterranean

  • 04:567:329 International Reporting

  • 04:567:365 Mediating the Middle East

  • 04:567:384 Media and the Struggles for Democracy in Central America

  • 04:567:385 Irish Media, Politics, and Cultural Survival

  • 04:567:405 Writing About Social Issues

  • 04:567:420 Global News

  • 04:567:475 International Media

  • 04:567:488 Independent Study in Media Studies

  • 04:567:489 Independent Study in Journalism

  • Any Topics in Journalism and Emerging Media course that involves JMS faculty-led travel outside the United States

Sports journalism specialization

Required Courses:

  • 04:567:200 Writing for Media

  • 04:567:201 Media Ethics and Law

  • A foundation course

Specialization Courses (select 3 courses / 9 credits):

  • 04:567:430 Sports Writing and Reporting

  • 04:567:432 Multimedia Sports Reporting

  • 04:567:434 Critical Issues in Sports Media

  • 04:567:488 Independent Study in Media Studies

  • 04:567:489 Independent Study in Journalism

Internships, Study Abroad, Honors, and Other Educational Opportunities

An internship is a highly recommended capstone experience for JMS majors. Students pursue placements in major media outlets throughout the New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia markets.

The department internship coordinator assists students in finding an internship. Students must qualify, receive permission, and then register for the 6-credit internship. To qualify, a student must be a major who completed a minimum of 75 overall credits and five journalism (567) courses, at least three of which must be skills courses; have an overall GPA of 2.5 or better; and have a 2.75 GPA or better in the major.

The JMS program offers a number of study abroad opportunities and financial aid is sometimes available to support participation.

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better may apply to the JMS Honors Program.  This program requires six credits of coursework that includes an independent project.

A second major is highly advantageous for students preparing for a career in mass media. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue a second major, or at least a minor, which must be outside of the School of Communication and Information since double majors within the school are not allowed.

The major demands that students carefully formulate their program of coursework. Students should consult an adviser for guidance at least once a year.

Course Transfers

A maximum of 6 credits from outside the JMS program may be counted toward the major. A maximum of 3 transfer credits (or one course) may be applied to the conceptual requirement and a maximum of 3 transfer credits (or one course) may be applied to the skills requirement.

Courses that students have taken at other New Jersey colleges, which are articulated through the NJ Transfer system and recorded on a student's transcript with a JMS course number, will be counted toward the major. However, such courses do count as transfer courses to the major and therefore a maximum of 6 credits may be applied to the major.

Students who wish to have a course they have taken elsewhere at Rutgers or externally at another university considered as one of their required or elective courses in the journalism and media studies major must submit a request for transfer equivalency in writing to the Office of Student Services. To submit such a request, the letter of petition must include a copy of the full syllabus of the course, a copy of the student's transcript showing the grade achieved, a note which JMS course it is requested to replace, and the reasons for consideration. The courses are evaluated in terms of their very close match of content and skills to the JMS course, the level of the course, and the grade achieved, which should typically be a B or better. Students will be notified in writing of the outcome of the petition.

Dual-Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program for Journalism and Media Studies Majors

JMS majors in their junior or senior year may apply to the master's program in communication and media (M.C.M.) for a dual-B.A./M.C.M. program that allows completion of both degrees in as little as five years. If accepted, students may take a limited number of M.C.M. courses in their senior year which will count toward both the undergraduate degree and the master's. Once the bachelor's degree is completed, students will be in the master's program and complete the requirements. 

Admission requirements are the same as for all M.C.M. applicants. Details about the application process and degree requirements are on the school's website.